Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1887-09-01
AMONG THE ROCKIES.
A Refreshing Description ofa De-
IS lightful Summer Resort.

4
cool breezes have rot left this nun.
dane sphere although they may
have seemed recreant to the long.
ings and the paintings of those who
reside in the Indian Territory
When we reached Denver, Colora-
do, on the 22nd of july it seemed to
us almost like being in new
world, so cool and fresh the breez-
es compared with a lower altitude
Denver is situated about 5000 fee
above the level of the sea. 1t is
one of the beautiful cities of the
continent. Here is life and activity
1t is probably equalled for busi.
ness by no city between Kansa:
City and San Francisco. The pres.
ent population is 5000 and rapid
ly increasing. 1t is supported by
the immense mining interests from
the mountains west and from an
agricultural district. rich by ma
ture and aided by irrigation.
From the city we could look upon
the snow-capped SUBMITS of the
Rockies seemingly but a short dis
tance, but really over fifty miles
away.
After considerable deliberation
we decided to make Idaho Springs
our objective point for few weeks,
and OH the 26th, left the busy prai-
rie city for a still higher and purer
atmosphere. At Golden, sixteen
miles from Denver, we entered the
mountains. Up the valley of the
tortuous stream, through narrow
canons, gorges and gulches, under
over hanging rocks towering hun
dreds of feet above US, sometimes
around curves so sharp that our
iron horse, putting and painting
with his heavy load is almost op-
posite our coach. around and up
ward we climb until after a ride
of twenty-five miles from Golden
we reached Idaho Springs, at an
altitude of 1000 feet above Golden,
7 800 feet above the level Of the sea.
Here are the celebrated hot and
cold soda springs, a popular sum-
mer resort for excursion lists. Ev-
cry train to and from this point
was crowded. All along the sides
ofthe mountains, from the base to
the SUBMITS, can be seen the open
ings of mines of gold and silver.
Large quantities Of lead are also
taken from the mines but so intent
are the miners on securing the
gold and silver that this baser
metal is ignored. Chicago creek
and lakes are famous for trout
fishing. Ones first experience
would seem 10 be that there were
more fishermen than fish, but if
by perseverance he learns the
habits Of the finny inhabitants of
these clear, sparkling waters and
the skill Of throwing and manag-
ing his fly he finds that their name
is legion. Your correspondent
succeeded in transferring one hun
dred and one from their watery
element TO the iron skillet. The
scenery in the vicinity of Chicago
lakes and Mt. Evans is surpassed
by none ever beheld by the writer.
Here rocks are piled on rocks,
some in wild confusion, some laid |
in symmetrical order as if by the |
hands Of art. On Mt. Evans our
party had a game Of SNOWFALL from |
the everlasting snow that covers
its sides. At an altitude of about |
1900 feet we found a beautiful |
lake Of clear, pure water covering |
some twenty-five or thirty acres Of
surface. From the dizzy heights
which we reached we could dis
tinctly see Longs Peak, Grey's
Peak and Pixies Peak, each about
the same height as Mt. Evans.
Mountains beyond mountains rose
in silent grandeur, many Of them
covered with perpetual snow.
Away off in the distant horizon the |
plains of Kansas seemed 10 touch |
the blue sky, but just where we
could not tell. Near the top ofthe
we stirred a mountain
lion from his lair, but as we had
no more formidable weapon than
a thirty-two calibre rife we thought |
best not TO provoke his majesty /
10 take one Of us for his supper.
We closed the days experience Of
the mountains by catching thirty
one fine speckled trout from Chi
,ago lake. Leaving the reader at
DuT tent by the lake we bid you
good night. ID. Ro0ERs.